Little Faith, 1of9

~ The Importance of Faith! ~

Passage  ~  In the great Hall of Faith chapter in the Bible we read, “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God had taken him;’ for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:5-6).

Comments  ~  In this list of faithful servants of God we find this clear declaration: “without faith it is impossible to please Him.”  Specifically, this short portion of God’s Hall of Faith is about Enoch—a man of significant faith.  In other words we should strive to live a Godly life like Enoch did.   Consider for example that we are told that:

[1] From what we read in Scripture Enoch apparently “walked with God” (Genesis 5:24) throughout his life of 365 years (Genesis 5:23),

[2] We are specifically told that he “pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5),

[3] Enoch was one of God’s prophets, “Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also” (Jude 14a),

[4] And finally “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God had taken him’” (Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5).

One thing strongly implied in this passage is that good works done without faith are not a good thing in God’s eyes.  Only that which is done through faith is of eternal value.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Christian Action, 28of39

~ Possess An Appropriate Humility ~

Series Note  ~  In just the single chapter of Romans 12 the Apostle Paul gave believers a list of 39 things which are part of the Christian life which pleases God.  This chapter is crying out saying, “If you name Jesus Christ as your Savior then please act like a Christian!”  It is Paul’s “To Do List” for us.  The key principle is that while you and I cannot change God’s character (who He really is) we have the clear potential to damage His reputation (what others think He is). 

Scripture to Meditate On  ~  “Do not set your mind on high things” (Romans 12:16b). 

Comment  ~  This is a reference to having a suitable humility. 

Related Passages  ~  Earlier in this chapter we read: “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith” (Romans 12:3). 

Jesus Christ is our pattern:  “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:5-9). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Jesus Was…, 1

~ Jesus WAS Fully and Completely Human! ~

Jesus Christ Possessed Human Characteristics  ~  (1) Jesus Christ had a human body.  “And Jesus said to them, ‘Why are you troubled?  And why do doubts arise in your hearts?  Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself.  Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have’” (Luke 24:38-39). 

(2) Jesus Christ experienced normal human growth.  “So when Joseph and Mary could not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him.  Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions.  And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.  So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, ‘Son, why have You done this to us?  Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.’  And He said to them, ‘Why did you seek Me?  Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?’ But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.  Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.  And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:45-52).

(3) Jesus Christ’s body experienced injury.  “One of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out” (John 19:34). 

 

Jesus Christ Experienced Human Life  ~  Consider some aspects of how Jesus Christ experienced human life while He was on earth…

He lived in poverty (Luke 9:58),

He was tempted (Luke 4:1-2a),

He became hungry (Luke 4:2),

He became tired (John 4:6),

He became sorrowful (Matthew 26:37-38),

He slept (Luke 8:23),

He became thirsty (John 19:28),

He cried (John 11:35),

He celebrated life and its events (John 2:2),

He had a sense of humor (Luke 6:41-42), and

He died physically (John 19:30).      

additional remark:  For a different look and fuller understanding of the fully human nature of God see chapter 3, entitled “The Mystery of Light” in the international award winning book GOD LIGHT: Sunlight Sonlight (find details by clicking on the God Light tab above).

the key question:  “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This is the most important question you will ever answer.  If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .